Travels of Mark and Pat: 2017

New Year's Eve - 2017

How can it be the last day of 2017? But it is and we are having a beautiful day in Florida. We went to 8:00 Mass at Church of the Resurrection - wow, what an uplifting experience with vibrant priest, beautiful Christmas décor, awesome music for the season and a very inspiring homily on the Holy Family which is today's feast day.

Stopped at Panera for breakfast and then spent over an hour putting our stuff away, organizing car, etc. I drove Toad and Mark had Daisy as we came across from Lakeland to Okeechobee. It was a 2-hour trip with 70 degrees and sunny, bright-blue skies.

It's good to be back here at Water's Edge as we were met with hugs from friends, Sue and Jud from Virginia and Sue and Gary from Oklahoma (now officially nomads).

We were here in January, 2016

The towing mechanism that we use to pull Toad is back in IL (had thought we would be there this weekend to get truck and bring back stuff from storage). The truck has arrived in East Peoria, so planning to leave (fly) mid week for the tundra and then drive back. We have to put 1000 miles on truck before we can tow new Airstream which is expected to be in Tampa late January.

So sorry to hear Brady and Drew are latest victims of the flu....

Liam and Connor serving mass this last day of the year at Holy Trinity!

We celebrated here at Water's Edge with several RV'ers with an appetizer party at the club house and by the pool. Met new folks and had a great time comparing notes about our travels. Later we gathered around a big bonfire and enjoyed hot and cold beverages chatting away.

Hope your New Year's Eve plans are fun, safe and wishing you many blessings in 2018~

H A P P Y N E W Y E A R !

🎉🎆🎇

Saturday - December 30

We left Beaufort at 7:30 with the sun shining - chilly but a nice day for travel. Traffic was much better today, but lots of RV's heading south along with all the license plates from north country.

It was 9:51 when we drove into Florida and just like that, it was cloudy and gloomy! Where oh where is our warm Florida sunshine? We drove in this for about 2 hours and then the skies brightened, clouds went away and blue skies were with us again!

There were soooo many traveling north - not sure why other than a bowl game in Jacksonville this afternoon? And around Disney, extremely heavy traffic leaving the park.

We got to Lakeland, picked up Daisy and settled in at the Sanlan RV Park. I got a mani/pedi (I am all set for Florida FUN). The high today was 70!

We had a great dinner at Grillsmith and then our first run to Publix. Lots of stuff to unpack, but there's always tomorrow.

Liam and Connor are enjoying their frozen Old Farm Lakes in backyard for ice skating. It is soo brutal back there.

So here we are in Lakeland, but my brothers and wives are back in the Illinois tundra. Predicting one of the coldest New Year's ever!!! They'll be down here later next week.

Tomorrow, we are off to Okeechobee!

Friday - December 29

Hello from Beaufort, SC where we are hunkered down tonight. We left Lake James around 11 after our good bye hugs with the kids/kiddies and a nice day weather wise to travel. As soon as we got on I-95....ugh....major heavy traffic. We decided to take some 2-lane roads and avoid the masses heading south. Since we were delayed some, we didn't want to go all the way to our original destination (Fort Stewart, GA), so took a little detour to our favorite Beaufort.

We are staying at same hotel as in April, 2015 with Michael, Brooke, kids, Bob and Judy (Brooke's parents) and also where the Blue Angels stayed for air show.

Drove downtown and first 2 places we checked out for dinner were full till 9ish.....so ended up at Plum's which is always good and food was great.

It's cold here, but nothing like back in the Midwest and across so much of the country.

Last night we all went (Bob and Judy, too) to LaSalsa's in Morganton for some great Mexican. Then back to Michael's for euchre with Mark and I beating Annette and Brooke 2 games. The guys played monopoly with Brady, the winner!

Dinner at LaSalsa's

Maeve, Philip, Luke, Blair, Brooke, Bob, Ryan, Brady,

Michael, Davis, Judy, Mark, Pat, Drew, Annette

The 3 little tots

Maeve with Mommy wearing her new sparkly shoes

These pretty flowers greeted us here at hotel when we checked in this afternoon.

We had a change of plans as we planned to fly to IL yesterday for my cousin's wedding (tomorrow) and also pick up our new pick-up. We switched plans after Philip got the flu and decided we didn't want to take back any germs, + the truck had not come in + the weather back there is

brutally cold and snowy.

So we are driving Toad to FL, will pick up Daisy, settle in at Water's Edge in Okeechobee and then Mark will fly back next week to get truck.

We had so much fun with our NC (and DC) kiddos (big and small)!!!

Another wonderful Christmas for the memory books!

Christmas Holidays - 2017

It's been a whirlwind few days celebrating Jesus' birthday and the holy season of Christmas...

We are enjoying our time in North Carolina with the grandkids and all the hoopla of playing with new toys (and Luke and Blair sharing each others).

Unfortunately, Annette and Blair had the flu and Annette was still not feeling well on Christmas Day. Ryan joined us on the 26th and more presents, good eating, euchre, etc. until Wednesday morning when Philip got the stomach flu.

The rest of us spent the day at Michael and Brooke's playing monopoly, tea party, make-up, euchre and of course, eating!

Thursday morning found Philip feeling better and we stripped all the bedding and sanitized the door knobs, light switches, etc. hoping to keep these germs far far away!!!

Mark, Michael and Ryan went to Drew's Diner for breakfast and then they did some outside chores.
A few pics from past few days...

Blair with presents from Uncle Patrick (guitar from us)

Brady enjoying his new soft robe and slippers

Luke in his "Elf" jammies

Michael and Brooke's tree

Good ole Jerry

Another sunset winner at Lake James

Christmas Eve - 2017

A gloomy day outdoors at Lake James, but indoors, we have the Christmas music playing, and the kitchen has been in full swing most of the day with Grandma making 3 salads and other goodies. Annette and Blair are feeling better today.....and please....no more sickness!!!!

Mark, Michael and Philip did more clearing in the woods this morning. So happy that the Campbell's and those back in Bloomington are having a white Christmas after getting a nice snowfall

today! First "White" Christmas in 5 years!

Tonight we are going to 5:00 Mass and then party at Michael and Brooke's....

From our Family to yours, we wish you a

VERY

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

Angelic Maeve

Saturday - December 23

Today would've been my Dad's 100th Birthday..... I would imagine he's partying in heaven with Mom, his family and friends on this big milestone day.....I miss him so much!

This picture was taken 6 years ago when Dad was celebrating his 94th.

Back: Linda, Jason, Mark, Jennifer, Pat, Bob

Front: Jim, Liam, Dad, Connor, Patrick

Well......last night we were at Michael and Brooke's, their 4, along with Philip, Annette, Luke, Maeve and Brooke's parents, Bob and Judy. Ordered in Roma's and played lots of euchre

(3, 4 and 5-handed).

Maeve and Uncle Michael

During the night, Annette and Blair started in with the flu....ugh! Sure feel for them and hope it's quick like mine and that no one else gets it as we keep hearing that it is running rampant!

This morning, Mark and I drove to Black Mountain and met Paul and Patty for breakfast at Louise's Kitchen - neat old house with great food and so good to see them. Patty and Mark used to work together and she and Paul retired to Asheville 2 1/2 years ago.

Paul, Patty, Pat, Mark

Quiet afternoon - kids took good naps, Mark and I went to 5:00 Mass at Our Lady of the Angels. The plan had been to go to Michael and Brooke's for goulash prepared by Judy, but with 2 not feeling up to par, we stayed home and Philip picked up our dinner which was delicious and much appreciated.

Sunset last night at Lake James

The sky was actually a very deep pink, but this is best I could do with cell phone.

Now onto Christmas Eve....

Friday - December 22

Party sunny skies today......Brooke and Annette were off to Winston-Salem to Costco and other shopping. Michael and Philip were into their lumberjack duties cutting some small trees to clear view of lake.

Grandpa and I were in charge of the 3 munchkins.....baths for Blair and Luke, breakfast/brunch/grazing. then to cookie making!

Multi-tasker taking a call while playing a game on I-pad

Making sugar cookies....

Frosting and then Grandpa's help with sprinkles
while Blair does a taste test

Merry Christmas to all....

The boys and Uncle Philip doing some major clearing...along with huge bonfire

Big congratulations to Paul (nephew) and Candi along with grandparents (Jim and Lydia) on the arrival of Charlotte James born early this morning in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

Welcome baby Charlotte

Thursday - December 21

Good morning world....

Cloudy and dreary....good day to hunker down with the kiddies. Mark and Philip worked on security set-up of doors/windows, Annette wrapped packages and I was in charge of Luke and Maeve. We played and watched another Hallmark movie.

Tonight Michael, Brooke, Philip and Annette went to a German restaurant in Black Mountain. Drew, Davis and Brady went to "Star Wars". Mark and I had the 3 little ones and Blair is doing

a sleepover!!!

Grandpa and Sweet Pea

Quiet time - a rare thing for these 3

Playing Old Maid with Grandma and Grandpa and Grandma was the "Old Maid"!!! Kids thought it was hilarious!!!

Going crazy with Grandpa!

Wednesday - December 20

Very wet day in North Carolina and about 20 degrees colder! Good day to stay put, but thankful to be feeling much better. Mark, Philip and Luke went out for breakfast and then ran several errands. Annette and I tackled laundry and enjoyed Maeve. Nice to be able to hang out with these kiddies cause I sure wasn't up to that yesterday.

Philip, Annette and Luke ran some errands in the afternoon. And then our other NC kiddos arrived....first, Drew and Davis, followed by Michael, Brooke, Brady and Blair!

Annette made chicken mango tacos and we adults played 2 games of 6-handed euchre with the men winning first and then the ladies!

Maeve is saying several words.....(working on grandma and grandpa), but a favorite is "uh oh".

Maeve and Santa

Christmas socks and ruby red slippers

Waiting for Mommy to come home...

Grandma is learning new things from the kiddies and their I-pads

Chowin' down...Davis, Drew, Brady

And then the 3 little ones...

Philip and his girl...

So sorry to hear Connor is sick with a headache and fever! So much sickness going around!

Monday - December 18 and Tuesday, the 19th

Started the day again with very dreary conditions, misty rain and then fog....ugh! We stopped at Cracker Barrel in Berea, KY for breakfast and kept on.....what a treat to see bright sunshine and blue skies in eastern TN and all the way to Lake James.

Great to be here with Philip, Annette, Luke and Maeve......we unpacked, settled in, had a glass of wine and some snacks followed by euchre which Philip and I won. I started feeling funny about this time....long story short, I have some sort of stomach issue or food-related illness. There are at least 15 other family members who became sick Sunday/Monday after our family Christmas dinner Saturday night. We'll probably never know just what caused this, but not fun and thankful it appears to be a 24-hour bug.

I slept off and on today, had sprite and crackers nearby and finally late this afternoon, felt strong enough to take a shower and say "hello" to the others.

Mark and I had planned to be at Blair's Christmas caroling party at her pre school today followed by milk and cookies. That didn't happen! Just hope 'n pray no one else gets this!

It was 72 here today and I spent the day in bed....arghhh! Anyway, big change coming tomorrow and next few days with lots of rain and much colder temps.

Satuday-Sunday, December 16-17

A very fun family weekend and now we are headed to North

Carolina.....checking the forecast for Nebo....wow! 65 tomorrow and 70 Tuesday! 'yeah....

Saturday - breakfast with Bob and Linda and then on our way stopping at the cemetery in Sublette and taking off the fall flower basket from Mom and Dad's graves. Fun afternoon of playing cards (hand 'n foot), good eating and then Mass at 4:30 at St. Patrick's. There were 93 in attendance this year with at least 4 absent cause of illness. We had a bountiful feast of delicious Chicken George, Italian Beef, vegetables, salads, etc., etc. And then pies and cookies galore.

The gift exchange took about 2 hours and then back to the hotel for more games, wine,
gabbing, etc., etc.

Dapper Dudes

Liam and his Great Uncle Tom (Mark's brother)

Two sweet boys...

Our niece Cory, her little guy, Eric with Great Uncle Mark

The guys were wearing matching shirts and sweaters!

Auntie Karen handing out gifts and now it's Liam and Connor's turn!

Just a small part of the big crowd of Chamberlains back at the hotel for games

Another successful, fun family Christmas celebration!

Sunday - Anne, Liam and Connor were up and on their way home around 6:30 as boys had a morning hockey game. They won 10-1 with Liam scoring 5 goals and Connor, 1 goal. Sorry we missed this! Now they have a break from hockey till after the new year.

Mark and I slept in, had breakfast and said our good byes. The day started out very gloomy with some fog, but then a little bit of sunshine, more dreariness, some drizzle off and on and then sun for a short time!

We stopped at Steak 'n Shake in Lebanon, IN for a late lunch and arrived in Cincinnati at 5:30 (eastern time). Tomorrow.....onto the Nebo kiddies!

Friday - December 15

Dreary, cold and windy......Mark exercised, we took a load of stuff to storage and then loaded up the car with clothes, stuff and presents for big weekend coming up and then to North Carolina.

Checked out of Eastland Suites and were on our way by 10:20. Stopped for a light lunch at the Uptown Grille in LaSalle - always so good.

Visited my cousin Jim at the nursing home and then to see Aunt Marian at Stonecroft. Lots of newsy catch-up and helped Jim open his Christmas cards and tape to wall. He got 7 today - more than we've been getting!!!

Jim and Pat

Aunt Marian

Now we are at Bob and Linda's and ready to celebrate a Dinges Christmas....Ron and Vicki are back from Florida and the 6 of us had a wonderful dinner at Brandy's in Peru. We came back to Bob and Linda's and played 6-handed euchre with the girls winning 2 out of 3.

Mark, Pat, Vicki, Linda, Bob, Ron

Enjoyed delicious grasshopper pie dessert and then called it a night. We will all be together in 2 weeks for our cousin's wedding.

Tomorrow, onto Dixon for Chamberlain Christmas gathering!

Today was pajama day at Luke's school + Santa

Thursday - December 14

Partly sunny and cold, but no wind!!! Makes such a difference! We were each off this morning (Mark drove truck and I drove Toad) with 1st stop at Busy Corner for breakfast. Then to Uftring Ford in East Peoria to turn in our truck as we are trading it in when new one comes later this month. Appreciate them letting us turn in early as we would have no place to keep it for a few weeks. Loved this truck and so nice to drive....

Bye bye white truck...

Stopped at Costco and then on home. I did laundry and back at the packing. You probably wonder what it is that we are packing.....well, these past 6 weeks we have really settled in here at Eastland Suites. Clothes, computer/printer stuff, exercise equipment, a little bit of kitchen stuff, items for minimal cooking, cleaning out fridge, etc., etc. And then there's all the presents!!!

The staff here at Eastland gave us a plate of 2 pretty decorated very yummy cookies as a thank you for staying with them! Mark ate one before I could get a picture....ha!

We took a load of stuff to storage and then to Culvers for supper.

Sweet Maeve, we're coming to see you very soon!

Wednesday - December 13

Wild, very windy and cold day!!! It was dark and dreary, too, with a few brief rain showers....

My hips and legs are really hurting after all the walking. Anne and I walked over 8 miles yesterday!!! But it was fun, so...

I did some more packing and we have stuff sitting all over the place! Bins going to NC, storage and then more going to Florida.

I got a manicure with Lisa at 10:30, then met Claire at Biaggi's for delicious lunch and 2 hours of visiting. Won't see her again till we're in sunny Fort Myers in February.

Holiday lunch at Biaggi's

Mark has been running several errands yesterday and today - much appreciated!

Good afternoon to just hibernate under the afghan and rest the weary bones! Ha....did that for a little bit, including a short nap, but then back at the packing!

Tonight we met Roger and Carol at Destihl.for great dinner and then went to their home for yummy angel food cake and ice cream